polkadotbug

Do Drink and Sew

I finally sat back down at the sewing machine tonight and actually finished a project!  Everything has still been packed up since we returned from our trip last weekend.  I really haven't been super motivated lately but this felt great to be productive again.  I even conquered a new dress style.  I saw something similar and really enjoyed it so I decided to give it a shot.  And once again it's a reversible dress in Heather Bailey fabrics.  Shocking. 

It's just like my classic reversible dress but it ties in the back instead of on the shoulders.  I must say that I don't know how to do the top trim where the ribbon slips through.  It came out a little sloppy.  Cute, but sloppy.  Good thing that the friend of mine who requested it hasn't a clue about sewing so she won't know the difference!  It bugs the crap out of me though.  I'd really like to know how to do it better. 

I also must share that I had a little help with my motivation tonight. 

Andrew prepared a fresh, icy, and delicious mojito for me.  What can be better than a refreshing ice cold mojito while you sew??  Answer: a refreshing ice cold mojito sitting pretty on Amy Butler fabric.  Fantastic!  It was even made with freshly picked mint from our herb garden.  I have it made.  That's all I've got for now.

Slow Cookin' Pork

Today was a day of intense yard work.  My back is killing me.  I did a lot of digging which never hurts too much when you are actually doing it.  I wish someone reminded me of what I was going to feel like later.  Above, Molly and Abby hard at work in the grass :)

We have a nice sized yard and it has so much potential.  It just needs a bit (or a lot) of work.  I'll have to say that Andrew and I have the front looking pretty nice after a few summers here.  We're envisioning great things for the back yard and are trying to make that a reality.  I dug all around the pool we had put in last summer so we could add some rocks and plants or something to make it look a little more attractive.  Andrew didn't want the pool and I insisted on having one because it is something I always wanted.  To him it's an eyesore and extra work that he didn't sign up for (ok, that might be partially true).  I promised that we would make it worth it and the kids and I would have so much fun with it.  I still promise that we will as soon as we figure out how to warm the water. I was 7 or 8 months pregnant last summer when they installed it and it's located under a good number of large shady trees (Andrew trying to put it in a location that wasn't so obvious).  I love you Andrew!   I was so large and hot and really did try so hard to swim in it.  The poor baby in my belly would freak out as soon as I got in.  Could either be because she was freezing or losing oxygen because I couldn't breathe the water was so icy.  Poor Molly always wanted to go in and she would swim around with her teeth chattering and lips turning completely purple.  We are having some tree trimmers come this week to see what we could do about making some room for sunshine to hit the water. 

About the pork.  While we were busy digging, there was some pork stewing in the crock pot. The pork is from Duink Farms of course.  He is a local farmer who has naturally raised pork, chicken and lamb.  He also has some really good veggies.  Andrew and Molly go almost every Saturday morning to get eggs and whatever else we may need.  A couple of times Mr. Duink had some pork in a crock for folks to try and Molly absolutely loved it.  She would go each week in anticipation that he might have it again.  Funny thing for a 4 1/2 year old to look forward to, eh?  Well, they bought the pork (uncooked of course) and we tried to replicate Mr. Duink's slow cooked pork here today.  We just stuck it in the crock pot with a sliced onion, garlic and some diluted bbq sauce.  Molly also put in some salt and pepper because it "definitely needed that" (she is such a cook already).  She didn't really understand the concept of it needing to cook all day.  Every half hour I'd hear, "you think the pork is ready now?" 

Before she went to bed tonight she had a chance to try some of it.  I think it was a success.  Andrew just shredded the rest up and we'll have sandwiches tomorrow.  I am typically not a huge fan of pork but I do like pulled pork with barbecue sauce. 

Man, this is bad.  Andrew has the food blog and I am writing about food!  This goes to show you how little crafting I have been getting done. 

A Room All for Me

If anyone is still reading this, I am still alive and well.  We have been so busy lately and I haven't been taking the time I should to post.  It could also be because I haven't been crafting too much (unfortunately).

We arrived in Northampton on Saturday (super fun 7 hour car ride).  We are staying a week with Andrew's folks (aka Grandma and Grandpa).  I know this is supposed to be vacation but I brought the machine, fabrics, patterns, tulle, etc.  Grandma has set up a room just for me to do my thing (thanks!!).  I have a great table with a cutting mat, ironing board, good lighting, view of the outdoors, and much more.  It's so much better than the dark falling-apart dining room I sit in at home.  It's very nice to be able to go into my own little space while Abby is napping and Molly is out playing with Grandma.  I have already gotten more done in 2 days than I have in past few weeks at home.  Maybe I'll send Andrew home with the kids and stay...

Today we went out for a bit and ran into the local fabric shop.  I went out on a limb (thanks for the nudge Andrew) and got these strip kits to try.  Andrew has so much faith in me!  I completely do not have enough patience to make a quilt, but the woman at the shop ensured me that this was for beginners and those who like quick projects and immediate results. I am all of those things.  It's a kit of great coordinating fabrics cut into long strips.  You just pick the strips you wants to make your squares with and sew them together.  Then cut the that piece into your squares and arrange your quilt.  It eliminates all of the cutting work and sewing of small pieces.  Sounds easy right?  Ha, can you tell I am trying to convince myself??  They also had some of the patterns for sale that were only $3 so I bought two of those as well.  She showed me some final products they had in the shop and they were so cute.  It ends up making a large baby size quilt.  I am excited to try (I think).   I may need your help Josie!

So, I am finishing up some orders I have accrued and planning some new projects.  I kinda feel like I am still in the game.  I have to go to sleep now, very quietly though because our entire family is sleeping in the same room...  :)

Home of the Sox (the Red Ones)

Oh, I am so proud of myself.  I spent time on two of my least favorite modes of transportation in one day!  What a weekend.  We left for the airport (least favorite mode by far) for our trip to Boston Friday morning after dropping the girls off at my mom's house.  We left plenty of time for all of the airport bologna just to find out that our flight was delayed.  So now I had to sit in all of my anxiety for an extra 2 hours.  We got on the scorching hot plane and I couldn't breathe.  First I was petrified, and second there was no oxygen and it was 100 degrees.  We were supposed to be in Boston and getting a shuttle from our hotel to the boat cruise at 6:15.  After getting off the plane, racing to get the rental car, and speeding through Boston rush hour, we got to the hotel as the shuttle was loading.  I didn't even get a chance to change into nicer, better smelling clothing.  Oh well, we made it to the boat and I was so nervous I would get sea sick as I normally do, especially after an entire day of airports and airplanes.  Not only did I not get sea sick, but I even had a few cocktails.  Yay Tina.  The boat ride was beautiful.  Boston is just an amazing city and we had a perfect view of it at night.

Saturday morning Andrew and I drove around a little bit.  We had to make the trip over to old digs and the Dunkin that we got bagels and coffee at way too much when we lived there.  With the size of the bagels, the amount of cream cheese they slather on, and the amount of cream and sugar I load into my iced coffee, I can't believe I wasn't 300lbs.  We ate our fantastic bagels on a bench along the Charles and reminisced about our time in Boston.  Awe.

The wedding was beautiful, as was the reception.  Despite the fact that it was 95 degrees and extremely humid.  All of the activities were outdoors so we were all a little sweaty to say it nicely.  I compared myself to a fly trap because I was so sticky, but I bet a small human could've stuck to me if they got too close.  Ew.  We had a great time with all of our college buddies.  It's great to see what everyone else is doing with their lives.

Sunday we met up with our great friends Rob and Meg who live in the City.  We took a trip up to Rockport and walked down to the ocean.  It was definitely enough to make me want to stay longer and just hang out on the beach.  I didn't plan clothing accordingly for the trip so I had jeans on and it was 90 degrees.  Of course I got attacked by a wave and had to wear wet jeans for the remainder of the day.  Comfy.  From the beach we went straight back to to the airport and flew home to the girls who mom kept waiting up for us.  It's always great to get back home. 

Now it's time to start packing up for a week long family trip to visit Grandma and Grandpa.  Will there ever be time to craft in the summer??  I am actually bringing the machine with me so hopefully I will have something crafty to show you!

A Visit and a Bag

This has to be quick because I have to get packed for our trip to Boston.  This is also the second time I am writing this because the first time Typepad shut me down and I lost my post.  "BLAH," says Tina.  I am both nervous and excited about the trip.  I am nervous to leave the girls and go on an airplane.  Flying scares the you know what out of me.  I am very excited though to get back to Boston where Andrew and I had our very first real apartment and jobs, and to see old friends that we haven't seen in a while.

Anyways, I had the pleasure of going to meet Josie (and her lovely family) yesterday.  It was great getting to meet and chat in person.  This pic is of a stack of adorable fabric pieces that were part of the basket of goodies she made for me.  Don't you love the strawberry?!  She has a great tutorial for them on her blog.  Too cute!  There were also some yummy snap peas that I snacked on driving home, and some veggies for the garden.  I couldn't get a pic of them because Andrew ran right out and planted them when I got home.  Thank you for welcoming me into your home and everything else Josie!  I look forward to seeing each other more often and crafting together. 

This is the most recent bag I made. It was made for one of Andrew's co-workers.  She picked this fabric out herself and I love it.  It turned out very nicely.  I used an old vintage button for the closure.  Gotta get me some more of them!  I hope she likes it. 

Time to pack!

The Kitchen All Dressed Up

These are the new cushions I made for the kitchen nook.  This is where we eat pretty much every meal.  We painted the kitchen months ago (and by "we", I mean "I") and it had green and brown cushions that I had originally made when we moved in 2 1/2 years ago.  I was itching to make cushions and curtains to match the new color.  The kitchen was one of the last rooms we painted because it wasn't completely hideous.  Our bedroom was the first we painted because it was definitely hideous.  It was sponge painted a terrible maroon/mauve color and all of the window and door trim an even more disgusting teal.  The kitchen was an off-white color.  We could live with it but didn't really enjoy it.  White walls and I do not get along.  Well, in my house anyways.  I love what some people can do with a white room but I prefer color in my house.

I will admit that I did a quick sloppy job of the cushions, but still love them because they match the "rustica" walls.  Then I used an old bedspread to make some quick pillow covers.  I just left one side open with a ribbon tie to close them.  I figure ivory at the kitchen table is just asking for food and stains to jump on it.  With one side open, they were very easy to make and even easier to remove and wash them.  It doesn't help that Molly is real good at tossing and spilling.  It's very tough to keep a 4 year old still on a cushy bench when they're eating.  The cushions have a strange way of making you want to roll around and get cozy while you're eating.  There have been times when we had to ban her from the bench and stick her on one of the chairs.

Of course I didn't buy quite enough fabric so the valance is not as full as it should be.  Hey, it matches and is done so that is a huge accomplishment for me.  I really wanted to get it all done so I just went with what I had instead of going to get more fabric.  There's Tina cutting corners again!  Anyways, we are happy with our new kitchen color and matching fabric!  Did I ever mention that I love Andrew and his camera that has an amazing ability of making everything in the pictures look better than they do in real life?!?! 

Oh, and the cool bowl on the table.  I got that the Indie Market from Buffalo Plaid Pottery.  Trisha is an extremely friendly and talented gal who makes amazing pottery pieces.  Andrew loved this bowl and commented on it at the April and May market so I bought it and gave it to him as an early Father's Day gift.  It's always easy to buy your husband gifts when it's something you really like too!!